WHO Marks World Polio Day 2026 With Call to Write a New History for the Disease

The World Health Organization is marking World Polio Day on Saturday, October 24, 2026, under the theme “Let’s Write a New History for Polio!”

The annual observance draws attention to efforts to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause irreversible paralysis, particularly in young children.

Vaccination remains central to protecting children against the virus. Sustaining immunisation efforts and reaching children who have missed doses are essential to preventing its spread.

This year’s theme puts the focus on changing the course of the disease, highlighting the continuing importance of polio prevention and eradication efforts.